The rookie defensive end can look at the Saints' depth chart and see Charles Grant, Darren Howard, Will Smith and Tony Bryant listed ahead of him. The Saints defensive front is crowded.

On the second day of the NFL Draft in April, the Saints used their sixth- and seventh-round picks on defensive linemen Jason Jefferson and Verdon, respectively. With a veteran line in place, the chances of either cracking the lineup are slim.

"I was real excited and then I started looking, and they only have four defensive ends that looks like a good chance to make the team," Verdon said. "Then I realized who they were."

Even though Jefferson and Verdon have impressed the Saints coaching staff, neither is guaranteed a roster spot once it's trimmed to 53 players Sept. 4.

At Wisconsin in 2004, Jefferson, a 6-foot-1, 310-pound defensive tackle from Chicago, had three sacks and 25 tackles. Verdon, a 6-4, 280-pound defensive end from Pomona, Calif., was a second-team All-Pac-10 player at Arizona State last season. In 2004, he had 40 tackles, including eight for losses.

"Those guys are more athletic than you think," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "They are tough guys. They work hard. They're dependable."